WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office
for the Northern District of Alabama, today filed a complaint and consent
decree in U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Alabama resolving
its claim that the Freeway Club, a night club in Decatur, Alabama violated
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, by discriminating against
African-American patrons.

"No one should be denied access to a place of entertainment or accommodation
that is open to the public because of the color of their skin," said Ralph F.
Boyd, Jr., Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights.

The complaint alleges that the Freeway Club and its manager Robert Watkins
engaged in a pattern and practice of racial discrimination by refusing to
admit African Americans to the club on the same terms and conditions on which
whites were admitted, including, but not limited to, requiring two forms of
picture identification from blacks but not whites, and otherwise discouraging
African-Americans from attending the club. The Department of Justice brought
its claims under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, and religion in
places of public accommodation, such as hotels, restaurants, and places of
entertainment.

"Our office stands ready to enforce the civil rights laws of this nation and
the Bush Administration considers civil rights cases a top priority," said
Alice Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

The settlement, filed together with a complaint, requires the owner and
manager of the Freeway Club to take steps to prevent any future
discrimination. Among other requirements, the defendants must obtain training
for themselves and their staff about the non-discrimination requirements of
Title II and other federal, state, and local civil rights laws; post
notification and issue affirmative advertising making clear that the Freeway
Club is open to all patrons regardless of race, color, national origin, or
religion; and report any future written or oral complaints of discrimination.
Several private complainants who were subjected to the racially discriminatory
two picture ID admissions policy at the Freeway Club have filed their own
separate suit in federal court seeking monetary damages.

More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is
available at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt.